Method of moving trains.



Patented May 27, |902.

c. w. HonNuNG. METHOD 0F MOVING' TRAINS.

(Application filed Feb. 4, 1902.)

(No Windel.)

w R u m n N r W0 m n w WITN ESSES ATToRNEY TH: Nonms Psvzns co., PHOTO-unav. WASHINGTONA D. c4

UNTTED STATES PATENT C OEEICE.

CHARLES XV. I-IORNUNG', OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO I-IIMSELF, AND SHERWOOD R. KNAPP AND HERBERT J. KNAPP, yOF

BROOKLYN, NEV` YORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 701,045, dated May 27, 1902.

Application filed February 4,1902. Serial No. 92,569. (No model.)

T0 LZZ whom t 71mg/ 0071.007171..- v

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. HoENUNc, a citizen of the United States, residing at .Iersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods ot' Moving Trains, of which the following is a specification.

By means of this invention railroad-trains can be moved through tunnels or yards or other localities practically without smoke 0r steam; and the invention resides in the features set forth in the following specification and claims and illustratedA in the annexed drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a track or way provided with this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a section along a: az, Fig. 1.

This train-moving system is shown as cornprising tracks or track-sections a, b, and c. The section or part a is the main track, on which a train is moved or run in the ordinary way-say by locomotive. In passing some localities it may be necessary or desirable to avoid the creation or emission of smoke and steam--as, for example, in a tunnel, where signals might thus become obscured or hidden. At such a locality a section of track, as b, provided with one ormore train-carry ing trucks d, driven by smokeless medium, as electricity or compressed air, will enable the train to be carried along or, as it might be called, fer-ried, while the locomotive is inactive that is, emitting practically no smoke or fumes. .The section b is on a different level from main track a, so that the trolley or carrying-truck CZ will have its top or train-receiving part level with such main track a for atrain to be run off the main track onto the truck or float b and also from the truck b onto the main track. When on the truck, the locomotive can shut off steam, and the truck will carry the train to the desired point, such as a continuation of the main track.

In some cases it may be desired to shift a train or cars, say, from one track to another or olf to a yard or siding. The tracks c run at an angle to or cross sections o and b. Trolleys or trucks, such as c, adapted to receive the trucks d with trains, can be arranged forsuch shifting. The shifting-trucks when also made to move without smoke, steam, or fumes will avoid obscuring, which may be objectionable. The track-sections being on different levels, the lowest section c can have its trucks e arranged to receive train-carrying trucks d, while the latter trucks on the level b can receive trains off the higher level ct-that is, have their tops level, or practically so, with the grade a.

The truck-tracks b and c can of course be applied at any required point or points along train-track 0;, since the invention is not conned to use in a tunnel, but can be used elsewhere, as may be called for.

The motive power of the trucks is inde pendent of the motive power or locomotive of the train, and a third-rail or trolley arrangement can be suggested as a practical means for moving the trucks.

In the drawings the shiftingtrack-sections c are shown at right angle to the line a l); but of course the track-sections could be made to run `in different directions, not necessarily in those shown in the example.

The various trucks can be provided with electric or other danger-signals, either visual or audible, or both, to prevent a truck following another too closely or runningintoa truck ahead, which may be stalled. Such signals can be of any suitable construction and applied as called for to indicate danger or caution or the distances between trains or trucks.

The truck can be made of suitable material, and an iron or iireproof truck or structure is considered advisable.

lVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A railroad comprising a train-supporting section, a truck-supporting section on a level lower than the train-supporting section, a train-supportin g tnuck on said latter section, and suitable means carried by said truck for propelling same.

2. A railroad comprising a train-supporting section, a section having a train-supporting the other section having a truck for support- Io ing the first-named truck with train.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of 'two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES W. HORNUNG. Witnesses:

CHAS. E. POENSGEN, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

